Janet Dunn: In her own words

Children's Librarian Janet Dunn hosts story time at the Westwood Public Library.

"Story telling was always a way that you passed down a little bit of history," says children's librarian Janet Dunn, who holds regular picture book story time at the Westwood Public Library.

Her favorite children's book is "999 Tadpoles," a Japanese picture book by Ken Kimura that tells the tale of two parent frogs who are overwhelmed by their 999 tadpole babies. The book teaches kids to never underestimate the quick wits of 999 young frogs as they make their way out of the pond they were born in.

"I like to see that little light bulb go off in the kids when they find something they really like," says Dunn, a Westwood resident who has filled the role of children's librarian in the borough for six years.

She feels that literacy should start early, and the earlier the better.

"It really helps when they do start school," notes Dunn.

Q: If you had to give advice to an aspiring children's book author and artist, what would you say?

A: For the author, if they are writing a picture book, to try to use a cadence or rhyming in your writing and it shouldn't be text heavy because kids can't sit too long. You need to be able to read it in a few minutes. For the artist, the kids are almost an open book when it comes to artwork; if you can almost tell the story with just the picture and not the words.

Q: As more and more books are becoming digitalized, how do you see libraries evolving in the future?

A: I see libraries around for a very long time. There is something about holding a book that people love. There is nothing like having a book in your hand. And teachers still require kids to find print sources.

Q: What's your favorite part of your job?

A: Just interacting with the kids. Doing story times.

Q: Why did you choose this career?

A: It found me. I started here ten years ago as the business manager. I liked it her so much I decided to get my masters. It was an easy transition. It did find me. I did not expect to be a librarian.